Los Gatos Quasquicentennial Jubilee: Party in the Parks Friday!

Los Gatos will celebrate its 125th anniversary with a "Party in the Parks" event, 6-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 10.

The town was incorporated on Aug. 10, 1887 and the concurrent gatherings honoring its quasquicentennial take place at five public parks: Bachman, Belgatos, Blossom Hill, La Rinconada, and Live Oak Manor.

Commemorative fans and market bags with the town's jubilee logo will be distributed to the first 150 people who arrive at the celebrations, which will also enjoy cake, food, entertainment and singing happy birthday in unison at 7:30 p.m. The singing will be video-taped.

Los Gatos Assistant Town Manager Pamela Jacobs said neighborhood and service organizations are hosting the parties assisted by the town with a stipend, a Jubilee banner, tables, and porta-potties. The hosts are planning lots of games and fun activities for those who attend.

Jacobs encouraged the public to bring their own picnic to the parks, but some food will be available, she said. All Los Gatos residents received in the mail a fancy invitation to the celebration, she added.

The Council drew names Monday evening during its meeting and each has been assigned one park to attend the celebration and help lead the party-goers in a rousing Happy Birthday song to the town at 7:30 p.m. simultaneously.

• Steve Rice—Bachman Park
• Barbara Spector—La Rinconada
• Joe Pirzynski—Live Oak Manor
• Diane McNutt—Belgatos Park
• Steven Leonardis—Blossom Hill Park

Two more exciting celebrations are expected this fall as part of the town's jubilee year extravaganza: the dedication of the renovated and the grand opening of the, Jacobs said.

"From start to finish, the town’s jubilee year promises to be as extraordinary as the town’s rich history and many accomplishments over the past 125 years," Jacobs said.

Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Wasserman, a Los Gatos resident and former mayor and council member, attended the Council meeting this week to present the town a proclamation honoring the community's 125th incorporation anniversary and commending the municipality for "125 years of excellence."

"I'm proud to have had a Los Gatos address for a third of that time," Wasserman said. "Los Gatos is in fact a jewel. It's very special. I'm honored to have served with [the Town Council] ... There's no better place than Los Gatos."

Details: www.LosGatosCa.gov/Jubilee, or Jackie Rose at 408-354-6853.